When I tell people I’m a writer, often their first impression is that I author books. I don’t.
As a writer and editor of business communications, I craft the messages that companies want to present to their employees, customers and communities. I tell the stories that already exist.
From information comes power. That’s the motto I’ve lived by for decades as I’ve told stories that spur people to action.
Inspired by journalists of the 1960s and 1970s who revealed the truth about the Vietnam War and a corrupt president, I decided to get into the news business. Here I could make a big difference.
Once I got into the newsroom, however, I discovered that I didn’t have the stamina to stick with long-form investigative journalism. Instead, I was drawn to the breaking story—controversial city council meetings, campaign speeches, jury decisions—and features that focus on trends.
Journalism didn’t have to be complex to be impactful. I saw that I touched people’s lives in big and, more often, small ways.
- My story about a monopoly on selling fireworks opened the way for a Boy Scout troop to run a stand to raise money.
- Adults comforted kids after reading my article about how children watched on television as the Challenger shuttle exploded.
- Spectators cheered a couple riding in the Tucson Rodeo Parade on their 50th wedding anniversary because of the feature I wrote on how the couple watched the procession on their honeymoon.
Based on comments I’ve heard, I know that my work has saved a household money on its phone bill, convinced a Chicagoan to ditch the Illinois winter for a warm Arizona vacation and assured an employee that a company expansion wouldn’t affect his job.
This kind of feedback over the decades confirms that as a writer I am making a difference in my work as messenger, revealer, teacher.
Elena Acoba has been a professional writer since 1978 after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in journalism from California State University, Long Beach. Her award-winning work has appeared for the Coast Media chain of community newspapers (Los Angeles area), the Metropolitan Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Arizona Daily Star, Pima Community College, and the Arizona Office of Tourism in partnership with Madden Media Inc.
Previous Writing for the Long Haul Posts – Steve Miller on building a writing life – Sharon Lee on remembering we’re not alone – Betty G. Birney on always challenging ourselves – Nora Raleigh Baskin on making deals with the writing gods – Sean Williams on unpredictability and luck – Deborah J. Ross on writing through crisis – Sharon Shinn on managing time – Marge Pellegrino on feeding the restless yearning to write – Sarah Zettel on embracing ignorance and writing your passions – Uma Krishnaswami on honoring unreasonable exuberance – Jennifer J. Stewart on finding community and support – Sherwood Smith on keeping inspiration alive – Mette Ivie Harrison on defining success – Jeffrey J. Mariotte on why we write – Judith Tarr on reinventing ourselves – Kathi Appelt on the power of story – Cynthia Leitich Smith on balancing business and creativity